Victory! Texans win first game in program history on Low’s late goal at Nicholls 

THIBODAUX, La. – The Tarleton Texans were seemingly dominating Sunday’s game at Nicholls, yet the scoreboard remained without a goal. That is, until the 85th minute, when Tarleton defender Rylee Low scored to give the Texans their first win in program history.

Tarleton (1-0-1) beat host Nicholls (0-2-0) in Thibodaux, Louisiana, at the Nicholls Soccer Complex 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. Through two matches, Tarleton has allowed just a single goal, heading home with a win and draw in hand.

“To go on the road and to come out with a win and a tie says a lot about this young team,” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “I think Friday we left a lot on the field, but to come back and grind through another tough game shows the maturity of this squad. We haven’t played an A+ game yet, but I’m proud of this win, and this team should be proud.”

Tarleton put pressure on the Colonels all day, finishing with 14 shots, nine shots on goal. The Texans’ defense, meanwhile, only allowed Nicholls to get a single shot on goal through 90 minutes, five shots total.

Low, a freshman from Midland, buried her shot in the top right corner of the goal, with Teeghan Dodd credited with an assist.

 Tarleton came out hot, attacking the zone in the second minute with a good look that midfielder Macy Hellwig just missed high. The Texans’ best chance early was in the 19th minute, as midfielder Adriana Alonso-Gomez put a shot on goal that was saved by Nicholls’ Reagan Carter. In the first half total, Tarleton had six shots, three on goal, and Texan goalkeeper Mikayla Kendall didn’t have to make a single save herself.

It was more of the same in the second half, with the Texans peppering the zone, sending six shots on goal. Kendall made her only save opportunity in the 70th minute, stopping Jemma Catherwood’s attempt in the low right corner.

Overall, Tarleton had three corners to Nicholls’ one, and got fouled eight times to committing four. Low received the lone yellow card on the day in the 65th minute.

Next is Tarleton’s home opener on Thursday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m. CT. It’s expected to be a packed house, marking the first NCAA soccer game ever played on the Tarleton campus.